Election Law - Absentee Ballots - Signature Requirements and Verification
Sponsor: Robert B. Long (District 6)Committee: Government, Labor, and ElectionsSubject: ElectionsStatus: Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. (as of Sep 4, 2026)
What this bill does
Official synopsis
Prohibiting a local board of elections from removing an absentee ballot from a return envelope or ballot/return envelope or counting the ballot unless the return envelope or ballot/return envelope is signed by the voter and a witness and the local board verify the voter's signature; and providing that the witness signature requirement does not apply to active duty uniformed services members serving overseas or their spouses or dependents who live overseas.
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Testimony (14)
MGA witness listFAV 9FavorableFWA 1Favorable with amendmentsUNF 4Unfavorable
| Position | Witness | Organization | Testimony |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAV | DeMinco, Lynne | BCRW | Position only |
| FAV | Delegate Long, R., Delegate Long, R.legislator | Individual | Oral |
| FAV | Ennis, Ella | Individual | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Lang, Alan | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Mauer, William | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Nelson, Mary | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Rosa, Richard | Individual | Position only |
| FAV | Tibbals, Trudy | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| FAV | Turner, Rebecca | Individual | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Antoine, Joannelobbyist | Common Cause Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | London, Rachel | Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Othman, Ronza | National Federation of the Blind of Maryland | Written (PDF) |
| UNF | Pellittiere, Michael | Veterans for Maryland Voters | Oral + Written (PDF) |
| FWA | Cross, Dr Cashenna A | Councilwoman At-Large, Glenarden | Written (PDF) |